“He did not give me that impression…”: WV Raman reflects on Ravichandran Ashwin’s early days

WV Raman, a former Indian cricketer and an astute coach, has been a guiding force in shaping the careers of many budding cricketers. Known for his insightful approach to coaching, Raman played a pivotal role during his tenure as Tamil Nadu‘s coach, nurturing talents like Ravichandran Ashwin. In an exclusive interview, Raman shared his candid observations about Ashwin’s early days in cricket, offering a fascinating glimpse into the journey of one of India’s greatest spinners.

WV Raman’s honest take on Ravichandran Ashwin

When asked about his initial impressions of Ashwin during his stint as Tamil Nadu’s coach, Raman provided an intriguing response. He admitted that Ashwin did not immediately strike him as a future legend.

“He did not give me that impression definitely, not that, you know, it’s, it’s impossible for anybody to think when you see somebody else, when you see a batter, perhaps you can when you see, a wicketkeeper, maybe you can say. he did not perhaps have, what you would say the qualities that would make you think he’s a standout, legend in the making. But there’ll be other things that would obviously provide you some kind of indication that this is somebody who’s different from the rest of the others. to just answer that question in one line, the best answer will be that, I’ve always maintained or experience gained from a long period that intelligence need not necessarily be an advantage. Because this can sometimes foster a lot of jealousy in the rest. And that is not good for a particular individual because, there have been many instances that I’ve seen that, intelligence is somehow not proven to be as advantageous as it is made out to be. So, when I saw Ravichandran Ashwin, I felt that here is one boy who plays good cricket. He’s also very intelligent, so he needs to be, handled in a certain manner. He needs to be encouraged without letting the others know he’s being encouraged because of his intelligence,” Raman remarked in an exclusive interview with Cricket Times, emphasizing how challenging it is to predict greatness in a player, especially a bowler. Unlike batters or wicketkeepers who might exhibit standout qualities early on, spinners often develop their craft over time.

Raman elaborated that while Ashwin lacked qualities that would make one think he was a legend in the making, there were subtle indicators of his potential. He noted that intelligence can be both an asset and a challenge for players like Ashwin. “I’ve always maintained that intelligence need not necessarily be an advantage,” he explained. According to Raman, intelligence can sometimes foster jealousy among teammates, which may not be conducive to individual growth.

Ashwin’s intelligence stood out to Raman, prompting him to handle the young cricketer with care. “Here is one boy who plays good cricket and is also very intelligent,” he added. Raman believed it was crucial to encourage Ashwin discreetly without drawing undue attention to his intellect. This nuanced approach ensured Ashwin could thrive without alienating those around him.

The evolution of a spinner: From batter to bowler

Ashwin’s journey from being an opening batter at the junior level to becoming one of the finest off-spinners is remarkable. Arun Karthik, a fellow cricketer, revealed how Ashwin transitioned from batting to bowling after struggling in the U-19 circuit. This switch proved transformative, as Ashwin excelled in his new role and steadily climbed the ranks in domestic cricket.

Raman highlighted how Ashwin’s ability to question conventional wisdom and seek answers set him apart from others. He described Ashwin as “his own man,” someone who did not follow instructions blindly but sought deeper understanding—a trait that eventually became integral to his success.

A legacy built on overcoming challenges

Reflecting on Ashwin’s career trajectory, Raman likened him to Sachin Tendulkar for “punching above his weight” and overcoming challenges with resilience. Despite criticisms about thriving on spin-friendly pitches, Ashwin silenced doubters by becoming India’s second-highest wicket-taker across formats. His adaptability and relentless pursuit of improvement allowed him to master various tricks and strategies against batters worldwide.

Raman acknowledged that predicting greatness is impossible but noted how Ashwin maximized his potential through hard work and innovation, praising his ability to rise above obstacles and carve out an illustrious career.

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Transforming Indian women’s cricket: A coach’s perspective

Beyond his association with Ashwin, Raman also shared insights into his tenure as coach of the Indian women’s cricket team. Taking charge in 2019 during a challenging phase for the team, Raman worked tirelessly to rebuild their confidence after a dismal T20 series loss against England.

Raman adopted a holistic approach to development—focusing on fitness, fielding, and mental conditioning alongside skill enhancement. He organized camps every three months and encouraged players to face Under-19 boys’ fast bowlers to overcome apprehensions about pace bowling. Gradually, the team regained its self-belief and performed admirably in subsequent series against top sides like England and Australia.

While Raman credited the players for their phenomenal improvement, he emphasized the importance of creating an environment conducive to growth. His efforts laid the foundation for Indian women’s cricket to compete confidently on the global stage.

“See, to put things in the proper perspective, I took charge of the team, in the early part of 2019. Now the first T20 series that we played at home against England, we lost horribly. we needed to get 6 of an over. We didn’t get. We needed to get 10 with 4 wickets in hand and we failed, and I think we lost, that series, really horribly. And we had a situation where the girls felt that they were not good enough in the format. Now mind you, I was thinking to myself, we have a World Cup coming up in another 1 years’ time, and these girls are absolutely at the nadir when it comes to the self-confidence individually and collectively to perform as a team. So, then I sat them down. I told them we need to try and, ensure that, we work on a few aspects, In a holistic manner, not only just upgrading your skills but also your fitness, your feeling, etc. So what we did was to try and have a camp once in 3 months, the physical conditioning camp, and then simultaneously the batters would work on the bowling machines at the NCA, the specific rules, and then once that physical conditioning camp was over. we would have, a week in which we’ll, make the batters play 420 more innings against the boys, under 19 boys, only fast bowlers to just try and get rid of any apprehensions they might have had to hit the fast bowlers. So gradually they got over it and, to their credit, it’s not mine. I can only tell them. I can only provide them the, Atmosphere. I can provide them the feel of an open ground and what they need to do. But the point is that to their credit they did phenomenally well in terms of improving their fitness, in terms of killing themselves, in terms of thinking differently. And when we went and played the prize series, when I saw them play the rise, I said, oh, mind you, this team can want to win. Because that’s the kind of cricket they played, and we were playing a rise against two of the best sides, England and Australia,” Raman stated.

A mentor’s lasting impact

Raman’s reflections on Ashwin’s early days underscore the unpredictability of greatness in cricket. While talent may not always be evident at first glance, fostering players with care and understanding can unlock their true potential—a principle exemplified by Ashwin’s transformation into a modern-day great.

Raman’s contributions extend beyond individual coaching; his influence on Indian women’s cricket highlights his ability to inspire teams through thoughtful strategies and unwavering support. As cricket continues evolving, mentors like Raman remain instrumental in shaping its future stars.

Here’s the full interview:

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April 03, 2025 at 10:42AM